The vacuole is a membrane-bound organelle found in the cells of plants, fungi, and some protists. In plant cells, the vacuole is typically large and centrally located, occupying a significant portion of the cell’s volume. It is surrounded by a membrane called the tonoplast, which helps regulate the movement of substances in and out of the vacuole.
In animal cells, vacuoles are generally smaller and more numerous. They are involved in various functions such as storage, waste disposal, and maintaining the cell’s internal environment. However, they are not as prominent as the vacuoles in plant cells.
Overall, the vacuole plays a crucial role in maintaining the cell’s structure, storing nutrients and waste products, and regulating the cell’s internal environment.